Give a Little, Change a Life.

Each year the United States makes a commitment to offer a new beginning to refugees who have fled their homeland due to persecution and are unable to safely return. The International Rescue Committee-San Diego (IRC) is a local non-profit organization that provides essential services to these newly arrived refugees. Due to past hardships, some were never allowed to attend school and have never learned to read or write in any language. For these families, IRC's First Things First educational program plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap from arrival to successful integration.

By attending First Things First, over a thousand refugee parents and their children have learned English and essential life skills since 1995. Here is what one Somali mother shared about her experience: "If I hadn't attended First Things First, I wouldn't have been able to call 911 when my baby had a seizure."

IRC First Things First needs your help. The current economy and resulting funding cuts have this program and their refugee families in jeopardy. By giving a little, YOU can change a life. Please support IRC and help keep this program alive.

International Family Celebration & Fundraiser, May 16th, $50/person http://event.pingg.com/IRC Give a Little. Change a Life. Give as little as $10/month, which pays for one month of education for a refugee parent or child. For more information, please contact Colleen Krause at Colleen.Krause@theIRC.org